Recycle, and a discount awaits you

-Malay Mail- The Ministry of Housing and Local Government will introduce the “Deposit Refund Scheme” in the middle of 2012 to encourage the public to reduce, reuse and recycle (3Rs) and also to realise a “material-cycle” society.

“The scheme is like you bring your old bottle of shampoo to a retail store and you can get a discount for filling up the shampoo by using the same bottle,” said its Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung after the 2nd meeting of the Regional 3R Forum in Asia here this morning.

He said the deposit scheme would be implemented in various stages after the ratification of two Acts, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) and Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation Act 2007 (Act 673).

“It is not compulsory for the public but we really hope it would encourage people to apply the 3R concept everyday,” he said.

He also stressed on the importance of offering a unique opportunity to local and national authorities as well as the public to create a new paradigm for the creation of a more human urban environment.

Stating that the segregation for household waste policy would also take place beginning 2013, he said: “I know it will take time to change the public mindset but I think it’s important we give greater emphasis towards achieving a green economy and addressing poverty.”

The 3R forum is financially supported by Japan’s Ministry of Environment.

“We have taken the initiative to promote the 3Rs by enacting various recycling-related laws since the 1990s,” said Japan’s Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa at the Press conference later.